Kawasaki ZR400?

[chalky143]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130006522031&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 I like the look of this bike as my first big bike. Does anyone know what they are like to own, handling, performance etc....also there doesnt seem many parts does anyone know of anywere to get parts for these bikes?

thankyou
leon
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Current bike :: sv650 minitwin race bike
Previous bikes::cbr600 steelie race bike, 1989 Honda vfr750f, 2013 Honda fireblade, 2013 Ducati multistrata 1200s, 2012 Triumph street triple R, 1999 yamaha r6, vfr 800, ducati 600ss, vfr 400x2, ntv 650, bandit 600, cagiva mito 125, aprilia rs 50, honda c90x2, honda hornet 600x2, cbr 600, aprilia rx50, suzuki katana
My bike pics: https://www.bikepics.com/members/chalky143/

[mr.z]

Ick, steer clear imo..

Its an import, you'll probably struggle to get parts, insureance companys used to be arsey about imports so could reduce the number you can deal with (uping the pice somewhat)..

Stick with someting thet parts are readyly available for..

Bandit 600 will be similar affair, loads about, cheap, parts everywhere... excelent starter bike (ignore the 600cc bit, its quite a mild bike compared to a modern race rep 600)

Just a thought..
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[stevo as b4]

I was thinking before i saw the pic that it was an old Z400J being refered to. That bike is basically a Zepher 550, but with a very similar looking 400cc engine. Im fairly sure from the pics that all the cycle parts look the same as the Zepher 550, so i don't think that spares should be a problem, apart from maybe engine parts, which hopefully you won't need anyway!

They are nothing like as sporty or as fast a CB500 or GPZ500 though. The 550 was dog slow for it's size, so a heavy looking 400cc bike can't be that quick i would expect!

[stemc]

Hi,,

I have the 550 version which is just an overbored version of the 400, air/oil cooled engine sounds like a bag of spanners when cold insurance is cheap and i get 48 - 60 mpg. Engines are apparently bullet proof and mine is surprisingly quick and is smaller and lighter than the 93 CBR 600 i had before.

There's loads of info on the zephyr zone and apparently the 550 does 1/4 mile in 12.8 secs compare that to some sportier bikes on

https://web.archive.org/web/20040611134440/www.syclone.freeserve.co.uk/rivals_motos.htm

The zephyr's were popular in Japan where they had there own race series

IMHO they are a good confidence inspiring first bike ideal to build up some ncb''s and simple enough to try your hand at some DIY mechanics,,, the seat height is quite low and they have adjustable levers and I think they look pretty cool but then i'm biased